Variable-surface game table



Feb. 23, 1965 J. P. DOLCE 3,17 ,694

VARIABLE-SURFACE GAME TABLE Filed April 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i If film" INVENTOR.

JERR PAUL DLCE ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1965 J. P. DOLCE 3, 7 ,6 4

VARIABLE-SURFACE GAME TABLE Filed A ril 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TNVENTOR. JERRY PAUL 0 0E United States Patent Ofiice 3,171,694 Patented Feb. 23, 1965 3,170,694 VARIABLE-SURFACE GAR E TABLE Jerry Paul Dulce, 2307 W. 41st Ave, Denver, Colo. Filed Apr. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 185,655 4 Claims. (Cl. 273-115) This invention relates to recreational equipment of general table type characterized by a substantially horizontal surface area constituting a field suitable for the playing of games, and more particularly to such equipment formed and adapted for the accommodation of games utilizing spherical elements rollable in supported relation upon such field, and has as an object to provide a novel and improved game table appropriate for corresponding use in the pursuit and practice of diverse particular pastimes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved game table having a substantially horizontal playing field for the rollable upport of spherical elements that is selectively variable as to surface contours.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved game table having a substantially horizontal playing field for the rollable support of spherical elements and means selectively actuable to variably contour the surface of said field.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved game table having a substantially horizontal playing field for the rollable support of spherical elements that is distinguished by means selectively actuable to variably raise and to lower surface areas of said field with concomitant surface-contouring effect.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved construction and organization of elements constituting a game table having a substantially horizontal playing field for the rollable support of spherical elements that is amenable to variation of surface contour.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved construction and organization of elements selectively actuable in association with a game table having a substantially horizontal playing field for the rollable support of spherical elements to variably contour the surface of such field.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved game table distinguished by a substantially horizontal playing field susceptible of surface contour variation that is simple and economical of production in desired sizes and proportions, that accommodates play of various specific games utilizing rollable elements, that provides stimulus and challenge for the exercise of skill in game play, that is variably adjustable to alter conditions of play thereon, and that sustains player interest and challenge through the diversity of play conditions amenable to representation thereby.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and operative combination of elements as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a typical embodiment of the invention as arranged for the play of certain games involving wickets and a pocket, or cup.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the organization according to FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section, on a relatively enlarged scale, taken longitudinally through and substantially on the indicated line 33 of FIGURE 1, leg elements of the structure being broken away to conserve space.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section, on a further-enlarged scale, taken transversely through and substantially on the indicated line 44 of FIGURE 2 with portions of the leg elements omitted.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary detail section, on a scale still further enlarged, taken substantially on the indicated line 55 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary detail section, on a scale greater than that of FIGURE 5, taken substantially on the indicated line 66 of FIGURE 4.

Many games have been, and may be, developed in connection with the roll and travel of spherical elements utilized both singly and in multiple under various actuating and propelling influences. Some of such games, of which golf is an example, are customarily played over Wide areas in the open and adapt only with difiiculty to frequency desired simulation and practice within the areas and confines commonly characterizing the habitations of humans. Further, it frequently occurs that games devised or adapted to be played with spherical elements upon a restricted field, whether exteriorly or interiorly of sheltering structure, soon pall as devoid of interest and challenge because of unvariable uniformity of the conditions incident to their play and consequent predictability of game progress and outcome. In and for practical obviation of the noted deficiencies attending play upon a restricted area of games utilizing rollable elements, the table of the instant invention is designed for selective reflection of the hazards encountered in similar game play on a natural field open to weather and for selective adjustment of the play conditions thereby established in a manner and to a variable extent constituting an unpredictable and interest-stimulating challenge to the player, or players.

Obviously amenable to extensive alternation of structural particularity, the game table as organized to give effect to the principles of the invention is characterized by a rigid, open frame 10 marginally defining and bound ing a play area of desired size and shape and legs 11 expediently associated with said frame to support the latter in a substantially horizontal disposition at a preferred height. As represented by the views of the drawings, the frame It) is a rectangular unit comprised in a length approximately twice its width from like, straight side members 10 wide with respect to thickness registered in spaced, parallel opposition of their Wider faces and fixedly interconnected at corresponding ends by similar, but shorter, members 10" engaged perpendicularly therebetween and edge-coplanar therewith. Triangular brace blocks 12 fixed within the corners of the frame outlined by the members It) and 10" feasibly may serve for attachment of the legs 11 to the frame It as well as to enhance the rigidity of the latter.

Inwardly directed, vertical faces of the members 10' and it)" are correspondingly intersected by a groove 13 subjacent and parallel to the upper margins of said members which circumscribes the open interior area of the frame 19 as a continuous channel spaced from the upper marginal plane of the frame a distance slightly exceeding the radius of the spherical element, or elements, appropriate for intended game play, and a flat, smooth sheet 14 of strong, stifily pliant material, such as metal, glass fiber composition, so-called plastic, or the like, is marginally received in the channel provided by the grooves 13 and thereby supported in closing relation with and to fill the frame It to establish its upper surface as a substantially horizontal field for game play when the frame is horizontally disposed on and by means of the legs 11.

Retained in the frame 10 solely by its loose, marginal engagement within the channel provided by the grooves 13, the sheet 14 is conditioned to flex within the limits of its inherent pliancy and is prone to sag with depression of its central area under the influence of gravity unless otherwise supported in some manner, in consequence whereof the improvement of the instant invention is featured by means in supporting relation with the sheet selectively manipulable to variably contour the upper surface thereof in reflection of undulations developed both longitudinally and laterally of the sheet. Typical of diverse structural arrangements alike in function and operative effect, practical means selectively manipulable to vary and determine upper surface contour of the sheet 14 are illustrated by the views of the drawings as effective upon the said sheet through the agency of a plurality of like attachments 15, desirably of U-clip form, affixed in appropriate patterned arrangement to and depending from the under side of said sheet to each hingedly engage and operatively secure the upper end of a link 16 pinned thereto for oscillation in depending relation with the under side of the sheet 10. The attachments 15 are affixed to the sheet 19 in any preferred arrangement effective to establish spacedly parallel rows of spacedly aligned such attachments either laterally or longitudinally of the sheet and its supporting frame and to correspondingly space and align the links 16 dependently hinged to said attachments. Lower ends of the links 16 are circularly apertured to receive and loosely embrace a straight actuating shaft 17 supported for rotation subjacently parallel to the hinge axes of the links 16 comprised in each spacedly aligned row thereof by and in spanning relation between journals 18 carried by the appropriate members of the frame 10 beneath the grooves 13 engaged by the margins of the sheet 14. Each shaft 17 at each intersection with a link 16 carries an eccentrically related circular cam 19 complementariiy received within the link aperture traversed by the shaft to reflect rotation of the latter as longitudinal displacement of the associated link. The cams 19 may be fixedly related with the shafts 17 in any desired relative angular relation of their eccentricities, or, as is obvious, said cams may be adjustably engaged with the shafts for selective variation of their angular correlation with a given shaft and the other cams carried thereby, a preferred arrangement being one wherein the several earns 19 of an individual shaft 17 are angularly staggered to distribute their eccentricities about the shaft. To facilitate angular manipulation of the cam-equipped shafts, each thereof is furnished with a diametric pin 20, or the equivalent, positioned for convenient access adjacent one of the frame members. Thus, individual rotational manipulation of the shafts 17 effected by means of their pins 20 is applicable through the cams 19, links 16, and attachments 15 to elevate and to depress, according to individual cam relation with the shaft, areas of the sheet 14 engaged by the attachments and consequently to generate in the upper surface playing field of said sheet undulations tolerated by the stifliy-pliant property of the sheet and thereby alter and intensify the intricacies of play involving propulsion of a spherical element over and about the variably contoured playing field. Manifestly, a multitude of particular field surface contours may be had through various shaft and cam arrangements, through synchronous or alternatively selective rotational adjustment of the several shafts 17, and through variation of the degree of angular adjustment applied to any and all of said shafts, whereby to introduce into the games appropriate for play on the table changeable and unpredictable factors challenging to the skill of the player.

Pertinent to the play of certain games characterized by propulsion of a spherical element over and about the upper surface of the sheet 14 Within the limiting bounds resulting from projection of frame members above said sheet is the provision of a cup 21 opening through the upper surface of the sheet in any preferred location to receive the rollable play element utilized, and the addition to the playing field of supplementary hazards and restnaints, such as wickets 22 upstanding from and above the playing field in removable and replaceable relation with the sheet 14 through the provision of sockets 23 fixed beneath and to open through the sheet 14 for the reception of the legs of the wickets. Further, the play of some games is facilitated and enhanced as to interest when areas of the playing field are stabilized against contour variation with or without introduction of a trap retentive of the rollable play element, in realization whereof the improved table of the invention accommodates insertion of a rigid bar 24 engaged with the frame beneath the sheet 14 spacedly parallel to an adjacent shaft 17 in a disposition effective to firmly support the overlying sheet area and establish, if desired, an inclination of the sheet constituting a trap closing to the frame member adjacently parallel to the bar, as represented at the right of FIGURE 3.

Since changes,'variations, and modifications in the form, construction, and arrangement of the elements shown and described may be had without departing from the spirit of my invention, I wish to be understood as being limited solely by the scope of the appended claims, rather than by any details of the illustrative showing and foregoing description.

I claim as my invention:

1. A game table comprising a frame adapted to support and marginally bound a horizontal playing field elevated for free access thereunder, a smooth-surfaced, stifiiy pliant sheet marginally engaged for slight relative displacement with and interiorly filling said frame in exposure of its upper surface as a playing area, attachments affixed to the under side of said sheet in a pattern of spacedly parallel arrays of spacedly aligned elements, a shaft journalled on said frame subjacently parallel to each said array, and means connecting each said shaft to the individual attachment elements of the associated array operable to apply angular adjustment of the shaft as elevational displacement of the associated elements and consequent variation of sheet upper surface contour.

2. A game table comprising a frame adapted to support and marginally bound a horizontal playing field elevated for free access thereunder, a smooth-surfaced, stiffiy pliant sheet marginally engaged for slight relative displacement with and interiorly filling said frame in exposure of its upper surface as a playing area, attachments affixed to the under side of said sheet in a pattern of spacedly parallel arrays of spacedly aligned elements, a shaft journalled on said frame subjacently parallel to each said array, cams fixed eccentrically on each said shaft complementary to the attachment elements of the associated array, and links operatively connecting the sorelated cams and attachment elements, whereby to apply angular adjustment of each said shaft as elevational displacement of the associated elements and consequent variation of sheet upper surface contour.

3. The organization according to claim 2, wherein the cams applied to each said shaft are engaged therewith in an angularly staggered relation of their eccentricity, whereby to reflect angular adjustment of the shaft as elevation of some and depression of others of the attachment elements linked thereto.

4. The organization according to claim 2, wherein said links hingedly engage at their upper ends with the attachment elements to swing transversely of the adjacent shaft, said cams are peripherally circular, and lower ends of said links are formed with apertures embracingly coactable with said cams.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,612,291 Jackson Dec. 28, 1926 2,057,504 Schafer Oct. 13, 1936 2,465,418 Baker Mar. 29, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 866,698 France Dec. 17, 1947' 329,073 Switzerland May 31, 1958; 

1. A GAME TABLE COMPRISING A FRAME ADAPTED TO SUPPORT AND MARGINALLY BOUND A HORIZONTAL PLAYING FIELD ELEVATED FOR FREE ACCESS THEREUNDER, A SMOOTH-SURFACED, STIFFLY PLAINT SHEET MARGINALLY ENGAGED FOR SLIGHT RELATIVE DISPLACEMENT WITH AND INTERIORLY FILLING SAID FRAME IN EXPOSURE OF ITS UPPER SURFACE AS A PLAYING AREA, ATTACHMENTS AFFIXED TO THE UNDER SIDE OF SAID SHEET IN A PATTERN OF SPACEDLY PARALLEL ARRAYS OF SPACEDLY ALIGNED ELEMENTS, A SHAFT JOURNALLED ON SAID FRAME SUBJACENTLY PARALLEL TO EACH SAID ARRAY, AND MEANS CONNECTING EACH SAID SHAFT TO THE INDIVIDUAL ATTACHMENT ELEMENTS OF THE ASSOCIATED ARRAY OPERABLE TO APPLY ANGULAR ADJUSTMENT OF THE SHAFT AS ELEVATIONAL DISPLACEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS AND CONSEQUENT VARIATION OF SHEET UPPER SURFACE CONTOUR. 